Resin stairs for interiors
#artepiana #resinfloors #microcement
Want to send the link to this channel to a friend? Copy and paste this link.
https://www.youtube.com/c/Artepiana?s...
Hi everyone, today we're talking about covering stairs with resin or microcement.
As you know, these materials adhere incredibly well to any substrate, so we can have fun using them to cover steps.
Let's start by explaining why I should cover a marble or wooden staircase (to name a couple) with resin.
Ultimately, if you think about it, the main function of a staircase, besides allowing you to move between floors, is to be a true furnishing accessory.
There are stairs that, on their own, can change the look of a home. Therefore, the need to install a product like resin is part of the end user's desire to furnish their home and enhance the staircase, transforming it into something unique.
Which material should I choose to cover the staircase? Resin or microcement?
At first glance, I'd say "whatever you like best," but personally, I'd make other considerations.
The first consideration is the subfloor I should cover.
Let's say that if I were to cover a metal or wooden staircase, materials that have a fair amount of elasticity, I'd probably consider installing microcement, which—as we've learned by now—is particularly elastic and therefore helps it "move" with the step itself.
However, if the material I'm covering is a stone like marble, granite, or concrete, then the discussion is the same and there's no difference between using resin or microcement itself.
Preparing the step is essential.
If you've just finished building a concrete staircase, so the supports have been removed, applying resin on top "just like my mom made it" isn't a good idea. This is because the subfloor—being concrete—will be rather rough, rough, and difficult to fill with resin, which, I remind you, is only 3mm thick and therefore would be difficult to level the step itself.
So in this case, it's essential to perform a preliminary leveling with a leveling compound or cement mortar, which serves precisely to level the tread and riser.
Another key consideration is the use of angle brackets to be placed at the junction between the riser and the tread. These have a dual function: the first and primary function is to straighten the step so that you have a sharp 90° edge, not something nibbled.
The second function is to "reinforce" the angle itself.
As you know, when we step on the edge of the step, we sometimes put pressure on it (which is why wooden or concrete steps are often broken), ruining it.
Installing an aluminum angle piece that will then be embedded in the resin can sometimes be the simplest solution.
Of course, this doesn't prevent the resin from being damaged at that point (right at the top) like concrete or wood, but it will allow for quicker repairs if necessary.
The effects I can achieve:
Resin generally gives us a uniform, compact effect.
Microcement, by its nature, gives us a slightly more textured effect.
Please note: these two types of textures concern the products we use at Arte Piana.
We achieve a textured texture with microcement, and a uniform texture with resin.
This doesn't mean resin can't also create a "dynamic" effect.
So here you'll see two sample collections, one uniform and one vibrant, and you can choose between them.
Colors: here, it's up to your imagination. The beauty of resins and microcement is precisely the wide range of colors available. You can choose from hundreds of RAL or NCS colors or from the manufacturers' customized color charts.
So, let's look at the pros and cons of covering a staircase in resin.
We've listed the pros:
Customization
Variety of colors
Mechanical resistance
Ease of cleaning
Waterproof and stain-resistant
Cons
Installation takes several days (especially if the staircase leads to a dead end and you have to backtrack to get out, stepping on the newly laid garden, so you have to be careful not to step on it).
The cost isn't exactly low, but when it comes to stairs, the cost is still high.
Honestly, I can't think of any other cons. Let me know what you think might be cons in the comments and we'll chat about them.
Well, we hope we've answered your questions.
See you next time.
Our Instagram channel:
www.instagram.com/arte_piana
Want to contact me? [email protected]